CIC Fukuoka Surpasses 135 Resident Companies on 1st Anniversary; Announces New General Manager and Next Growth Strategy

CIC Fukuoka, an innovation hub operated by CIC Japan (Headquarters: Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Tim Rowe/Denise Medlenka), held a press conference on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, to report on its first-year achievements, announce the appointment of a new General Manager, and present its second-phase growth strategy.

In its first year, CIC Fukuoka has grown beyond a mere workspace into one of Fukuoka's largest innovation hubs—an "ecosystem" where startups, large corporations, government agencies, universities, research institutions, and investors converge. Masanori Torigoe has been appointed as the new General Manager, succeeding Kunihiko Shimizu, who led the company through its startup phase, to accelerate further community expansion and innovation creation.

(Left) Outgoing General Manager Kunihiko Shimizu (Right) New General Manager Masanori Torigoe

First-Year Trajectory: Becoming One of Fukuoka's Largest Ecosystems Where Diverse Players Intersect

Outgoing General Manager Shimizu reported on the first-year results, noting that the total number of resident companies reached 135 in just one year, exceeding expectations. Startups account for the majority, with 74 companies forming an ecosystem charged with unique energy. Furthermore, the community has grown in diversity, with significant participation from female entrepreneurs (16 companies) and international firms (19 companies).

Regarding active community engagement, CIC hosted over 200 internal events annually and "Thursday Gathering" events that drew a cumulative total of over 7,800 attendees, earning an extremely high Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 55 (Excellent). Additionally, through a strong support framework established via a comprehensive partnership agreement (MOU) with Fukuoka City and Fukuoka Prefecture, as well as large-scale events like "Ramen Tech" and global events connecting with various Asian countries, CIC is generating a wave of innovation that links the region to the world.

*Data as of March 2026

Transition to a New Structure: Next Growth Strategy and National/Global Expansion

Newly appointed General Manager Torigoe announced the growth strategy for the "next stage" of CIC Fukuoka. Building on its established position as one of Fukuoka's largest innovation hubs, the company aims to evolve by promoting growth centered on "scalability" and "increased community density." To realize this vision and accelerate the ecosystem to its next phase, the following four strategies will be implemented:

Strategy 1: "To Kyushu and Okinawa" We will expand the energy of the community cultivated in Fukuoka across the entire Kyushu region and Okinawa. Using the secondment agreement with Oita Prefecture as a model case, we will proceed with building an ecosystem for entrepreneur development on a wider regional scale.

Strategy 2: "Community Deepening" In addition to our existing efforts in the creative, environmental, and energy sectors, we will launch a new cluster, "Food & AgriTech," which combines Kyushu's rich food resources with technology, contributing to the resolution of global social issues while leveraging regional characteristics.

Strategy 3: "Nationwide Expansion" To spread innovation originating in Fukuoka across Japan, we will strengthen collaboration with the Osaka hub "O-Nexus" (scheduled to open in May 2026) and the Tokyo hub "CIC Tokyo," building a foundation that supports startup growth and nationwide expansion.

Strategy 4: "Designing Encounters" To maximize "serendipitous encounters" that serve as the starting point for innovation, we will create natural conversations and interactions through the design of flow lines and mechanisms in hallways, cafes, and shared spaces. By physically bringing diverse players closer together, we will maintain a "dense" space with high energy and build a network where innovation triggers further innovation.

Holding the "1st Anniversary Event" to Involve the Entire Ecosystem

As a culmination of the past year and a starting point for the next leap forward, we will hold the "CIC Fukuoka 1st Anniversary Event" on Thursday, April 23, 2026. This event will be a symbolic occasion where all five players that make up the ecosystem—startups, large corporations, government, academia, and investors (VCs)—will gather to participate in pitch sessions.

For details, please check the event page (https://cic-fukuoka-1year-anniversary.peatix.com/view).

Masanori Torigoe: Biography After gaining experience at Japan's only international credit card brand company, he served as an Area Sales Manager for the world's largest workspace provider. He has been involved in the launch and business expansion of new business centers for multiple brands in the Kyushu area. Joined CIC in April 2026.

About CIC Fukuoka CIC Fukuoka is an innovation center opened in 2025 by CIC Japan as its second domestic hub after Tokyo. Under the vision of CIC's Asia strategy to "create a strong network with Asia," the company chose Fukuoka/Tenjin as its base, being the global city closest to Asia. Fukuoka City, often called the "Leading City of Asia," is the largest city in Kyushu, possessing dynamism such as geographical advantages, population growth, and sustainable economic growth. Since announcing the nation's first "Startup City Fukuoka Declaration" in 2012, the city has been working to create an environment that supports startups through the integration of government, industry, and academia.

CIC Fukuoka collaborates with this vibrant city, serving as a hub where domestic and international startups, companies, investors, universities, and government agencies intersect to foster co-creation and growth, taking on the role of deepening the regional innovation ecosystem.